“Yangzi, what is it about me that you dislike so much?” Lin Ziqi asked, perhaps fueled by alcohol.
Guo Xuyang glanced at everyone present. This was not the right occasion for such a conversation.
“Ziqi, you are very good and excellent. Today is the New Year; we can talk about this when we get back.”
Guo Xuyang said, raising his glass.
“Come, come, everyone, let’s raise our glasses together and wish you all a Happy New Year in advance.
I wish you all good health and hearty appetites; may all your wishes come true and your endeavors go smoothly; may your businesses prosper and may you strike it rich upon meeting. Cheers.”
Everyone raised their glasses and drank.
Only Lin Ziqi stared intently at Guo Xuyang.
She knew Guo Xuyang was unwilling to give her a clear answer.
Today, none of the other women were present, and she was determined to get an explanation from Guo Xuyang.
She didn't understand what was wrong with her.
The other women could be with Guo Xuyang, and even her own sister had been drawn in, yet he kept his distance from her.
Was it because she wasn't a virgin? But as far as she knew, Xiao Yun wasn't either.
Nor were Iliana and Guo Yiyang.
If they could be accepted, why couldn't she?
When she learned her sister had been drawn in by Guo Xuyang, she had even cursed Lin Zixuan for being shameless, wanting even her own man.
But she was powerless.
Although she was his first love, they had never even held hands, let alone kissed or slept together.
It was precisely because of this that she felt a sense of regret.
She used to think Guo Xuyang rejected her because she wasn't pure, but if he could have so many others, why not her?
Moreover, Iliana had even given birth to a son for him.
They could be with him without seeking official status, and she could too.
Yet, he always kept her at arm's length.
If he didn't want her, fine, but what was the point of drawing her sister into it?
Guo Xuyang ignored her and started discussing next year's business with Wu Youzhi and Guo Xuhui.
“Mr. Wu, after the New Year, please ask President Pi to appropriately increase the price of jade.
The supply of rough jade is decreasing rapidly, and more than half of the raw stones bought from Ruili have already been sold.
This is a non-renewable resource; the more we use, the less there is.
Please increase the price appropriately and refine the craftsmanship. Don't limit yourselves to making bracelets and necklaces.
Strive to create high-end items that can be passed down as heirlooms, making people desire to purchase and preserve them.”
“Alright, Brother Guo. After the New Year, I will discuss it with President Pi and Xu Liping.
We will then discuss it together and adjust our sales strategy.”
“Brother Hui, people are becoming wealthier now. You should think long-term and consider venturing into high-end automobiles.
As I said before, if you need money, tell me. I will have Xiao Yun prepare it for you.”
“Yangzi, I’ve only just taken over these responsibilities, and I haven't fully grasped the market conditions yet. Let’s discuss it again after some time.”
“Okay. You handle it as you see fit. Your parents have moved in, and my parents have also moved in. If you encounter any issues in the future, you can consult them.
When I'm not here, if you encounter any difficult problems, you can find Manager Cheng. He has influence in this area.”
“No problem. Shall we spend the evening together tonight?”
“That’s a must. We’re so close, it would be laughable if we didn’t spend the New Year together. Besides, in the provincial capital, we are the closest ones.”
“I’m worried about Mother saying something inappropriate again,” Guo Xuhui said.
“She’s always like that; it’s not a new thing. You’ll get used to it once you see through it.
Besides, we are all doing well now and have money.
Her wanting to compare us to others is nothing major.”
“This morning, she was still muttering at home, saying that you already have a son, and that we got married late.
Otherwise, I would be the eldest son and grandson,” Guo Xuhui continued.
“Auntie is like that; you can just pretend not to hear her,” Guo Xuyang said, glancing at Xiao Li.
He said this for Xiao Li’s benefit.
After all, as a newlywed daughter-in-law, anyone would feel uncomfortable hearing their mother-in-law nag like that.
Having a child isn’t like buying groceries at the market; you can’t pick and choose what you want.
Who can control whether a child is a boy or a girl?
The meal was quite enjoyable, and all three of them drank a good amount. Lin Ziqi also got drunk and was helped away by Xiao Li and Lin Zixuan.
Guo Xuyang went to bed immediately upon returning home. By the time he woke up, it was already past five in the afternoon.
In the living room downstairs, the whole family was busy making dumplings.
The dishes were being prepared by the brothers Guo Yiyu and Guo Yixiang.
The dishes were mostly semi-finished; many just needed some vegetables added or to be steamed.
Coupled with their good cooking skills, eighteen dishes were neatly arranged on the table.
There were eight cold dishes and ten hot dishes, all looking appetizing.
Iliana also came down, completely bundled up.
The room was warm due to the heating, causing her to sweat.
She wanted to remove her headscarf, but Wu Shangqing absolutely refused.
She insisted that sweating during the postpartum period was fine, but exposing oneself to wind and cold would lead to future suffering.
Wu Shangqing explained that she had good intentions, so Iliana had to endure it.
Little Guo Yishun was also brought down. The three- to four-day-old infant was plump and, at first glance, looked like a three- to four-month-old baby.
“Look how cute this little baby is; his eyes are rolling around; he’s clearly intelligent,” Xiao Li said, holding him.
“You two should hurry up too; it’s good to have a companion in the future,” Xu Wenli said, unable to resist looking at the baby.
“Mom,” Guo Xuhui called out.
“Am I wrong? Since you’re married, you need to have children.
Look at Yangzi; he already has a son before even getting married.
You two are a step behind; you need to catch up quickly.”
“Alright, you should say a little less. You’re only married a few days, and you’re already eager for a grandchild.
Guo Yishun is also your grandson; you can just visit him more often,” Guo Yixiang said.
“It’s no problem for me to visit, but I can’t help with anything when I get there.
Have I not been coming here often these past few days?
Besides, I’m not wrong. You’re married, so why aren’t you having children quickly?
When I’m too old to help, who will look after them then?” Xu Wenli argued her points logically.
However, what Xu Wenli said was not entirely wrong; she came over every day just to chat with the other women and didn’t help with anything.
Guo Yishun was different from other babies; he ate and slept when he was full, only crying when his bottom was soiled.
When the baby cried, it meant his diaper needed changing.
Wu Shangqing was the most skilled at this. When she prepared to change the baby’s diapers, Guo Yiyang, Ye Zi, and Yu’er would help by preparing warm water to wash the baby’s bottom.
Sometimes, Xiao Li, Lin Ziqi, and Lin Zixuan would also come to help. Xu Wenli was never needed.